John Denver's Rocky Mountain High?

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 21 Aug 2006 2:52 pm

Who did the fine playing on steel? Can't seem to find it anywhere.
Thanks,
Dave

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 21 Aug 2006 3:12 pm

Eric Weissburg, I think.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 21 Aug 2006 8:06 pm

I think Donny has it correct. And, of course, Eric's REAL claim to fame was his "Dueling Banjos" [sorry b0b] thematic song in the movie "DELIVERANCE".

"Banjoke" or not, Eric's steel in "Rocky Mountain High" was, yet, another example of how to play and fill and lay out until the right time comes. His playing was the ultimate tease. No producer told him when to come in or go out. Eric just knew. That's why he's great. It's a feel. Either you got it, or you don't. It's not taught in any of the instruction manuals.

All of a sudden - there it was. Just great control and simple statement. I never tire of it.

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 24 Aug 2006 6:08 pm

Thanks guys! It is very smooth playing indeed and certainly adds some "zest" to the mix. I love "Classic Country" and I really like John Denver's songs "Rocky Mountain High" and "I'm Sorry." Next time you hear them, bet you find yourself singing along!

I had no idea Eric played on "Dueling Banjos" What a picker!
Dave[This message was edited by David Higginbotham on 24 August 2006 at 07:12 PM.]

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 24 Aug 2006 11:05 pm

What a picker!

But not a good business man, he got sued for that, Dueling Banjos

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 25 Aug 2006 5:34 am

My 2 year old son's favorite song in the whole world is "Thank God I'm A Country Boy." I love it too! I think John Denver's music was great! The more I listen to it the more I appreciate it now and like it.

By the way, I read the other day where John sold an estimated 60 million recordings during his career. THat is not to bad for a Thank GOD Country Boy!

God Bless!

Terry Wood

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 26 Aug 2006 5:55 am

Dueling banjos was a ripoff of a Arthur Smiths,I believe he sued and won his case.

Ben Rubright · Post by **Ben Rubright** » 26 Aug 2006 7:42 am

In 1957 I bought a 45 of "The Mocking Banjo" by Carl Story and his Rambling Mountaineers on Mercury. It was indeed the same song but was in high gear the whole way. It featured a mandolin doing the lead and a banjo echoing (mocking) it. I loaned it to my banjo teacher who claimed that I never did.......alas. I have been looking for another copy ever since. The other side of the record was "Light at the River".

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 26 Aug 2006 7:42 am

Wasn't Eric involved with Dylan's Blood On The Tracks album?

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 27 Aug 2006 1:05 pm

I too love John Denver's music. A lot of people and critics put it down [nothing new here] as shmaltzy, sappy, and too pop-ish, knowing John considered himself somewhat "country" and "folk".

"Country Roads" [not entirely his song] is still a song I get asked to play all the time.

I think John really did sing from the heart; and did it unabashedly and with aplomb. That's probably why many thought him to be sappy.

They were wrong, IMHO. He wrote, sang, and played just some beautiful songs.

I was living in Leadville, CO [highest unincorporated town at the time ('76)] when "Rocky Mountain High" was out]. I gotta say that song hit the nail on the head. If you have had the good fortune to live at 10,000 feet in the Rockies for a few years, then that song really knocks you out, cuz it says it all. I lived that song.

Long live JD and his music.[This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 27 August 2006 at 02:07 PM.]

Fred Amendola · Post by **Fred Amendola** » 27 Aug 2006 2:42 pm

I always believed that Red Rhodes played on the John Denver stuff.
Fred